CONNECTICUT, USA — A new interim colonel for the Connecticut State Police was appointed after the retirement of Col. Stavros Mellekas on Wednesday.
Mellekas officially retired on Wednesday, weeks after he stepped down as the deputy commissioner to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). He had been with the state police for nearly three decades.
“For the last three decades, Colonel Mellekas has provided dedicated and loyal service to the Connecticut State Police and the people of our state,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. “His commitment to public safety is to be applauded, and on behalf of the residents of Connecticut I thank him for his service and the many sacrifices he has made over the years to protect our communities.”
Commissioner James Rovella, who is also retiring from the force this month, said he conferred with incoming Commissioner Ronnell Higgins to name Lt. Col. Danil Loughman as interim colonel of the state police.
Loughman served as a trooper for nearly 18 years. He was the commanding officer of the Office of Professional Standards and Training. A member of the CSP command staff for more than seven years, he was also previously appointed to the Labor Relations Unit and was the commanding officer of various troops in the Central and Western Districts.
Loughman recently graduated from the FBI National Academy. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York – Oneonta and has a graduate certificate from the University of Virginia in Criminal Justice Education. He has earned the agency’s Medal for Outstanding Service.
In a statement, Loughman thanked Rovella and Higgins for the opportunity to “further serve the state of Connecticut.”
“As troopers, our first priority is public safety and during my interim tenure, I will continue to work alongside all Connecticut State Troopers to ensure that safety, trust, and integrity are maintained,” he said. “Since 1903, the men and women of the Connecticut State Police have served with pride and reliability. I am honored to lead this agency.”
Rovella and Mellekas announced their retirement as the highest public safety officers in Connecticut in early October.
The news comes as the state police are facing staffing shortages, union unrest, and a federal investigation into falsified traffic stops.
Relations between the state police and the Connecticut State Police Union – which represents the majority of the troopers – have been tumultuous under Rovella’s leadership. While there was marked improvement last year with the ratification of a contract that made the state police the best-paid officers in Connecticut, a recent ticketing scandal has further frayed the relationship.
RELATED: Rovella to retire as Connecticut’s top public safety official, Mellekas to step down: Lamont
Earlier this year, Rovella received a historic vote of no confidence from his captains and lieutenants. This followed a similar vote by the Connecticut State Police Union against Rovella and Mellekas.
At the time, the union said Rovella “fostered an environment of mistrust,” and that he and Mellekas have “failed to protect their troopers and made decisions based on self-preservation."
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